Common-mode choke with integrated RF inductor winding

Abstract

A combination of a common-mode choke and two integrated RF inductors includes first and second E-core. At least one E-core includes first and second protrusions extending from a body portion. Each protrusion is configured to accommodate a respective winding. In a first embodiment, each protrusion extends from the body portion at an angle perpendicular to legs extending from the body portion. In a second embodiment, each protrusion extends from the body portion in an opposite direction from the legs extending from the body portion, and each protrusion includes a respective channel to receive a respective winding. In a third embodiment, each protrusion extends from the body portion in an opposite direction from the legs extending from the body portion, and each protrusion is sized and shaped to extend into a respective opening in a printed circuit board. Each opening is surrounded by a respective printed circuit winding.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A common-mode choke with integrated radio frequency (RF) inductors, the common-mode choke with integrated RF inductors comprising:
 a bobbin having a core-receiving passageway, a first choke winding and a second choke winding, each of the first and second choke windings wound around the core-receiving passageway; 
 a first E-core and a second E-core, each E-core comprising a body portion, a first outer leg, a second outer leg and a middle leg, the middle leg of the first E-core inserted into a first end of the core-receiving passageway, the middle leg of the second E-core inserted into a second end of the core-receiving passageway, wherein at least the first E-core comprises:
 the respective body portion comprising a rectangular parallelepiped having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface; 
 the first outer leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface of the body portion at the first side surface; 
 the second outer leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface of the body portion at the second side surface; 
 the middle leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface of the body portion at a location between the first outer leg and the second outer leg; 
 a first protrusion extending from a selected surface of the body portion other than the inner surface, the first protrusion located near the first side surface; and 
 a second protrusion extending from the selected surface of the body portion, the second protrusion located near the second side surface; 
 
 a first RF inductor winding positioned around the first protrusion to form a first integrated RF inductor; and 
 a second RF inductor winding positioned around the second protrusion to form a second integrated RF inductor. 
 
     
     
       2. The common-mode choke with integrated RF inductors as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the selected surface of the body portion of the first E-core is the first lateral surface. 
     
     
       3. The common-mode choke with integrated RF inductors as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the selected surface of the body portion of the first E-core is the outer surface. 
     
     
       4. The common-mode choke with integrated RF inductors as defined in  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the first E-core has a respective lateral surface parallel to the first lateral surface of the body portion; 
 each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the first E-core includes a respective wire-receiving channel extending into the protrusion from the respective lateral surface of the protrusion; 
 at least a portion of the first RF inductor winding positioned around the first protrusion is positioned in the respective wire-receiving channel of the first protrusion; and 
 at least a portion of the second RF inductor winding positioned around the second protrusion is positioned in the respective wire-receiving channel of the second protrusion. 
 
     
     
       5. The common-mode choke with integrated RF inductors as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB having an upper surface and a lower surface, the PCB comprising:
 a first opening extending through the PCB from the upper surface to the lower surface, the first opening configured to receive the first protrusion of the first E-core; 
 a second opening extending through the PCB from the upper surface to the lower surface, the second opening configured to receive the second protrusion of the first E-core; 
 the first RF inductor winding formed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the PCB as a first printed wiring winding surrounding the first opening; and 
 the second RF inductor winding formed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the PCB as a second printed wiring winding surrounding the second opening.